This is Paul. He is a free spirit. He has a dedication about him that cannot be faulted. He’s one of the three boys that my eyes fall on when I first enter the library space. I had stood by him for a while and observed him as he read. Every once a while, he would look at me but that was it. His eyes hold some excitement that I can’t place. When it was time for the interactive session, he participated eagerly – thin hands shooting into the air in anticipation to be called to answer questions or address the group of ‘scholars’.

However, I almost missed him. When I was catching up with other kids as they stepped out of the classroom, he sneaked past me. He’s thronging with the rest of the boys when I stretch and put an arm around him. He turns to face me and generously gives a very broad smile. “My name is Paul,” he answers when I ask; he goes beyond what I have asked – “…and I am in J.S.3”

While I am surprised by the eagerness that this young chap radiates, he begins to slowly slide towards his friends who have begun to walk past the classroom now.
“What would you like to be when you grow up?” I ask.
He replies quickly, “I want to be a surgeon doctor.”
I laugh and ask: “Why?”
He replies: “because Mathematics is my most favourite subject in school”. He bursts into a full smile of satisfaction, like merely saying the word Mathematics was life itself. “I love it!” he exclaims and then sprints to join his friends.

Paul is gone round the block with his friends before I holler: “Nice to meet you, Paul.” I doubt if he heard me call him.
Then, from round the block, he peeps: his eyes wide and bright with excitement and his teeth are all out. Then he disappears again.

I smile back.

[END]